Some time back the media reported extensively on the incidence in Saudi-Arabia where a 20 year old girl was harshly sentenced to 200 lashes plus 6 months jail term for ‘illegal mingling‘.
It has however been reported in Time that King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al Saud has pardoned her. It is also reported that her attorney, who lost his law practicing licence has a result of the case, has been re-instated and that he can return to his legal practice.
“The case involves seven men who were convicted of raping the victim a total of 14 times when she was an 18-year-old 11th grade high school student in Qatif, in eastern Saudi Arabia. According to Arab News, the attack reportedly occurred after she arranged to meet alone–in contravention of ultra strict Saudi religious law– with a former boyfriend who may have been threatening to distribute old photos of the woman.
She was given a sentence of 90 lashes when the verdicts were initially handed down in 2006, but on appeal the punishment was increased to 200 lashes plus six months jail time. Last month, Human Rights Watch quoted an official at the General Court of Qatif saying that the court had increased the sentence on Nov. 14 because of “her attempt to aggravate and influence the judiciary through the media.”
This case was shortly thereafter followed by the teddy bear called Mohammad in Sudan which equally caused an international uproar. The British teacher that was involved in that instance, has also since then received a reprieve.
It is extremely satisfying to report that sanity has prevailed in both instances.
J.C.Grobler.
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